Phyla scaberrima (Juss. ex Pers.) Moldenke

Common Name: Aztec Sweet Herb
Family: Verbenaceae J. St-Hil.
Synonym(s): Lippia dulcis Trevir.

Country of Origin: Mexico to Venezuela, Caribbean

Description: Mexican herb used since at least the time of the Aztecs for coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, and colic. Leaves contain the intensely sweet compound hernandulcin (1000 times sweeter than sugar) but high camphor content makes them unsuitable for use as a sugar substitute. Fast growing, low creeper, with small white flowers; excellent in hanging baskets. Known by the Aztec as "Tzopelic Xlhuitl".

USDA Zone: 9b-11

Accession Data:

Accession # 198900074
Source: Smith Col./seed
Recorded Vouchers:
1. Voucher 129361 as Lippia dulcis at George Safford Torrey Herbarium (CONN). Specimen collected 31 March 2005. Herbarium Image
Accession Date: 12-31-1989
Bench: 1304 - NEOA: North Bench W
- Currently: active - healthy
- Qty: 2 confirmed on 03-27-2025

Classification:

Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
SubClass: euasterid I
Order: Lamiales
SubOrder:
Family: Verbenaceae
SubFamily:
Tribe: Lantaneae
SubTribe:

Flowering Data:

This accession has been observed in bloom on:

Year	Jan				Feb				Mar					Apr				May				Jun					Jul				Aug				Sep					Oct				Nov				Dec
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005

References (internal):

EEB Greenhouse Holdings native to: Mexico Central / Mexico Gulf / Mexico Southwest / Mexico Southeast / Belize / Costa Rica / El Salvador / Guatemala / Honduras / Nicaragua / Panama / Cuba / Dominican Republic / Puerto Rico / Venezuela / Colombia

References (external):

Richter's WWW Herb Page
The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Accessed 7 May 2015.
WCSP (2015). World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed 7 May 2015.

data regenerated on Thu, 27 Mar 2025 11:36:06 -0400 [bcm v4.0]